The Thread of Life: Twelve Old Italian Tales

A collection of a dozen Italian folktales includes stories of good and evil, jealousy and justice, silliness and cunning, all with a memorable moral at the end

Grade 3-6?With today's emphasis on good folk literature, this reillustrated edition of Vittorini's Old Italian Tales (McKay, 1958; o.p.) is a welcome addition. The stories here are unique in that each one has a clever, often humorous, twist at the end. In one, a greedy traveler is rewarded with Persian cats by a king he thought would give him gold, silver, and jewels. In another, a child shows his parents the wisdom of respecting and loving the elderly. In yet another, a wise judge thwarts a family's vehement revenge on an accidental murderer. Many of the selections have versions in the folklore of other countries, such as "Cenerentola," an Italian Cinderella. GrandPre's modern paintings add depth and interest to the stories. The characters' features are angular and show much emotion. Written in a storytelling format, the selections are best shared aloud individually in short sittings so each one can be savored. This collection will also be enjoyed independently by youngsters who want to linger over each tale's turn of events and dramatic illustrations.?Betty Teague, Blythe Elementary School, Greenville, SC
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3^-7. Vittorini's animated retellings of 12 Italian tales are republished here with beautiful new illustrations from GrandPre, who also did Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat (1993). The stories include appealing characters, such as greedy Giocondo, fast-thinking chef Chichibio, and the lovely Cenerentola (an Italian Cinderella), as well as a good dose of humor. A sense of Italy's spirit permeates the volume, which sports Italian settings in the illustrations and Italian names and history in the text. With plenty of white space and images that cut into the type, the book's design uses GrandPre's palette of earthy browns and plums that lends a sophistication and helps make accessible literary stories that may not be familiar to a U.S. audience. Kathy Broderick